DA identifies people involved in Swansea murder-suicide

The Bristol County District Attorney’s office Monday morning released the names of the two men who died Sunday night, in what is being considered an apparent murder-suicide, which may have stemmed from a dispute over money owed for a car restoration. Police found one man dead in a motor vehicle p...

The Bristol County District Attorney’s office Monday morning released the names of the two men who died Sunday night, in what is being considered an apparent murder-suicide, which may have stemmed from a dispute over money owed for a car restoration.

Police found one man dead in a motor vehicle parked near 375 Stephen French Road. They identified him as Mitchell Stevenson, 37, of Tiverton, R.I.

Police identified the other man as Christian Wilson, 43, of Swansea. Wilson had owned the house at that address, and was found indoors.

A press release from the district attorney said the police investigation into the matter is active.

The scene at Stephen French Road Monday morning appeared considerably more calm than it had been some 12 hours before, when it was lined with numerous police vehicles and personnel during what appeared to be a standoff.

A few police officers could be observed walking in and out of the house, which has been cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape.

One neighbor was seen in his driveway, having a conversation with several other men, although he declined an interview. Another woman pushed a cart with a young girl in it past the house.

Dorothy Brown, who lives two doors from the scene, said her 42-year-old niece was outdoors when it unfolded. The niece, according to Brown, saw Wilson and Stevenson arguing outdoors, and then saw Wilson pull out a firearm.

At first she thought the gun was fake.

“She thought they were fooling around, and thought they were friends,” said Brown, as she was accepting a bread delivery to her front door.

Wilson then fired three gunshots at Stevenson, according to the district attorney's office. He ran indoors, and seconds later, a final gunshot was heard.

Brown said she stayed indoors as the event unfolded and police swarmed the scene. She shut off the lights, and drew her blinds shut. “I didn’t want to know what was going on,” Brown said.

However, the massive police presence was difficult to ignore: “It was like daylight over here.”

Brown said she knew Wilson. And shook her head.

“It’s too bad. The guy lived alone. And he had a good job. A couple of times he came over for dinner. ... He was a nice guy,” Brown said.

McKenzie Stevenson had posted the message. Even though he hadn’t spoken to Mitchell in more than 11 years, he said he still kept tabs on him through acquaintances. Their relationship was strained by a troubled past, but he said he had forgiven his brother.

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Mitchell Stevenson leaves behind a wife and a daughter.

“I just want it to be known that deep down inside, he was a good guy, and could be a very generous guy,” McKenzie Stevenson said. “He wanted to do the right things in life ... and it’s just an absolute shame that his daughter will grow up without a father.”

Mitchell Stevenson was a gifted mechanic and had been helping Wilson restore a 1965 Chevrolet Impala. Wilson had gotten the parts from the brothers’ father, Michael Stevenson.

The two had worked out an agreement: Wilson was to pay Mitchell Stevenson $5,000 for his work.

So, he had apparently driven to Wilson’s home to collect the money owed, McKenzie Stevenson said.

Local and state police squads were on the scene for nearly four hours Sunday night.

Police deployed a robot to forcibly enter the house, followed by armed police. They found Wilson, who had apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the district attorney's office.

According to police, Wilson was licensed to have a firearm.

McKenzie Stevenson said he had met Wilson before, and called him “a selfish man. ... He presented himself to be a stand-up guy.”

“He used my brother for his talent of fixing cars.

He said he wanted answers, which he won’t get. “He (Wilson) destroyed so many lives. He should have had to own up to that.”

McKenzie Stevenson said he would like to ask Wilson, “Is this what your life is like? Is it worth $5,000? Is that worth it? I don’t get it.”

Michael Stevenson said he and his wife are heartbroken by the loss of their son: “My tears will not dry for a long, long time,” he said. “I know that Mitchell was trying to turn his life around. ... He was troubled in his heart, but not a malicious person.”